Apparatus for picking up prunes and the like



Jan. .5, 1954 w. WIEBE 2,664,691

APPARATUS FOR PICKING-UP PRUNES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 4, 1950 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Q a O o o 0 a o O o O o a v 0 0 o I o a e o no- 0 a Q o0P5 0 o 0 L x22 o 0 0 0 4| 40 2 /A/VEN7'O2.:

Walter Wiebe I Jan. 5, 1954 APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1950 W. WIEBE FORPICKING-UP PRUNES AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet- 2 roe A/E Jan. 5, 1954 w.wlEBE APPARATUS FOR PICKING-UP PRUNES AND THE LIKE Fil Aug. 4, 1950 4Sheets-Sheet 3 nvwwroz: Walter Wiebe FB%/SZA rrozA/ey,

Jan. 5, 1954 w. WIEBE 2,664,691

APPARATUS FOR FICKING-UP PRUNES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 4, 1950 4Sheets-Sheet 4 T Valier Wl'ebe Patented Jan. 5, 1954 v UNITED STATESATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR PICKING UP PRUNES AND THE LIKE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to fruit gatherers and more particularly toapparatus for picking up fromthe ground fruit, such as prunes, nuts andthe like for conveyance into receptacles.

In the art of picking prunes and nuts the common practice is to shakethe trees after which the fruit is picked up by hand andpla-oed inboxes. Various forms of apparatus have been contrived to eliminate hand.picking by the use of devices for lifting the fruit from the ground forconveyance to a discharge station. When mechanical pickers are employedit is desirable to have the earth rolled or flattened prior to shakingthe fruit from the trees. While in theory it is best to have the earthsmooth and fiat it is hardly ever-possible to avoid having rocks, rootsand the like protruding above surface or toavoid depressions caused byremoved boulders or by foot prints made by persons crossing the orchard.

The present invention has as one of its objects the provision of anapparatus in which the actual picking element hugs the earth regardlessof irregularities therein.

Another object is to provide an apparatus having a pick-upcarriagespanning the area under the boughs on one side of a tree forpicking up all the fruit at one side of a tree or a row of trees in asingle trip past the same.

Another object is to provide a self-propelled apparatus with a pluralityof pick-up units arranged in staggered relation so as to pick up fruitthroughout the entire span of the apparatus.

Still another object is to provide a pick-up carriage so related to thepropelling means of the apparatus as to enable travel thereof with thepick-up units out of operating position.

Yet another object is to provide individual pick-up units capable ofpicking up all fruit in their respective pathsin the course of movementof such units over such fruit.

A further object is to provide an improved pick-up unit driven in unisonwith the speed of the apparatus over the earth so as to merely engagefruit, impale it and then lift it from the earth with a minimum amountof shifting of the fruit relative to the earth.

A still further object is to'provide a yieldable continuous belt havinga multitude of impaling means thereon spaced from each other a distanceassuring actual contact thereof with any fruit in the path oftheapparatus.

' Another and further object is to provide a self-operating tensioningmeansforthe continuous belt previously mentioned for allowing the latterto yield and stretch out in conformity with irregularities in thesurface over which it travels.

Another object is to provide yieldable. and automatic means forlengthening or shortening the earth engaging reach of the pick-up beltto suit the circumstances.

Another object is to provide means for varying the pressure at which thepick-up units engage the fruit being picked up to facilitate handling ofsuch fruit regardless of variations in its state of ripeness.

Another object is to provide novel means for stripping the impaled fruitfrom the pick-up means with a minimum of injury to the edible portion ofsuch fruit.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description when read in the light of the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top view of an apparatus embodying the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1 taken along line 22 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of Fig. 1 taken along line 33 thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged central longitudinal section through one pick-upunit and showing related parts of the apparatus embodying the same.

. Fig. 5 is a section of Fig. 4 taken substantially along line 5-5thereof. a

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the pick-up unit shown inFigs. 4 and 5 with parts broken away and shown in section.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary vertical section of Fig. 4 taken through thecenter of wheels 64.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevational view of'the piok-up'with a portionthereof brokenaway and shown in section. A a

Fig. 9 is an elevation of a pick-up pin only as seen from its leadingside.

I The device of the present invention asdepicted in Fig. 1 generallycomprises a prime mover in the form of a tractor A; a carriage Bsupported by said tractor for movement therewith and for movementrelative thereto; a pick-up unit C on said carriage; traction means Dfor driving said pick-up unit; an auxiliary motor M for said pick-upunit; conveyor means E for receiving fruit from the pick-up unit and fordischarging such fruit into receptacles F disposed at the dis charge endof the conveying means.

The tractor A may be of any well known form suitable for travel overloose earth such as is found on farms and in orchards. In the presentdisclosure the tractor A is of the caterpillar type.

having a front axle l0 and a rear, axle l I each carrying the usual cogwheels upon which endless treads 52 are mounted at the sides of thetractor.

The carriage B comprises a frame [5 of rectangular form from which apair of shafts, the form of truss-like arms I! and I8, extend rearwardlyin spaced relation to recive the tractor A. The arms H and 18 arepivotally connected to the rear axle i i of the tractor and extendrearwardly thereof to support a platform 9. The arrangement is such thatthe entire carriage with the platform is rookably mounted on the tractorin counterbalanced fashion, the major weight being on the fore part orframe of the carriage so that the latter tends to gravitate toward theearth.

Pistons and H are provided at either side of the tractor, preferablybetween the front axle l0 and the respective arms l? and It to hold thecarriage in predetermined positions relative to the tractor. Thesepistons are embodied in a hydr l e s t of we l kn wn d i n and operatein he e e ti nal m n e under the ontrol of gevers 22 located at thedrivers ,Sbation of the tractor.

The frame i5, Figs. 2 and 3., is an open framework of structural steelmembers including fore and aft channels 23 and 24 connected to sidechannels 25 and .25, the latter of which are joined by diagonal braceportions 27 and 28 to the respective arms I? and [-8 as seen in Fig. l.The

arms I! and it, although offset slightly, continue.

through from the aft to the fore channels to which they are secured orwelded. Intermediate structural members 29 and 35, in the form of angleirons, extend parallel to the fore and aft channels and are so spacedtherefrom (see Fig. 3) as to provide a base for an upstandin n r frame31.

This central frame 3| is made up of angle irons including a front one 32and a rear one 33 joined at their ends by side angles 36 and supportedby uprights 35 secured to the base formed by the intermediate members 29and 35, The upper part 3! of each truss-like arm H and i8 is secured tothe rear angle iron 33 of the central frame and extends obliquelydownwardl to merge with the lower part 38 of the respective arm I! or 8.The front angle iron 3| of the central frame 3! is braced by obliquelydisposed angle irons 39 secured to the fore channel 23 in alignment withthe truss-like arms H and I8.

The pick-up unit C in the present disclosure comprises a plurality .ofindividual units P, each of which is identical in construction.Consequently, like reference numerals are applied to like parts-on eachseparate unit P. Any number of such separate units may be employed andeven one Single unit, large enough to extend the entire length of theframe 15, can be used. For Purposes of this application two units, PIand P2, placed between and adjacent the respective arms I! and 18, areof such width as to leave a space 40 between such units. Another unit P3is placed rearwardly of the first two units along the longitudinal axisof the tractor to pick up all fruit lying between the first two units PIand P2. A unit "P4 placed adjacent the end wall 25 of frame I5 andanother unit P5 adjacent end wall 26 of the frame, in alignment with thefirst two uni-ts mentioned above, leave a space 4| between units Pi andP4 and a similar space 42 between units P2 and P5. Units Pt and P!arranged in alignment with the aforementioned rearmost unit P3 aredisposed to pick up fruit left at spaces 4| and 42 respectively.

From the foregoing and with reference to Fig. 1 it is apparent that theseveral units Pl to I are in staggered relation so as to completelycover the surface of the earth immediately ahead of the tractor A.

Each unit P, Figs. 4 through 9, comprises a pair of arms 43% spaced fromeach other to receive a drum 45 between them, around which drum aflexible web or endless belt '46 is trained. The

belt 45 extends rearwardly of the drum where it is held at propertension by an automatic tensioner 4! so as to adequately spread over andengage a sufficient area of the earths surface to contact fruit thereon.

The forward ends of the arms 4344 are turned upwardly and each have asuitable bearing boss .48 thereon for rotatably supporting spindies 49and 55 extending axially from the drum A15. The spindles 4959 aresecured to respective end discs 5! and 52 extending beyond the peripheryef the drum 35 to properly guide the belt 45 around the same.

Immediately to the rear of the drum 45 the arms 4344 are united by aforward crossbar 53. The spindles 4:95,5 of each unit extend throughsupporting brackets 54 and 55 on either side of each unit and thesebrackets 54-55 extend downwardly from the frame -15 as best seen inFigs. 2 and 3, In the case of the forwardly disposed units PS, 2, 4 and5, the brackets 54-55 extend from the foremost intermediate member 29 ofthe frame I5 while the brackets for the rearwardly disposed units P3, 4and I extend from the rearmost intermediate member 36 of the frame. Ineach case the brackets 54-55 have a forwardly tending terminus towithstand the normal thrust occasioned by the load on each unit. In thismanner the drum of each unit is supported a predetermined distancebeneath the frame l5 and well above the surface .9 of the earth overwhich the units are to move. However, the endless belt 4-6 of each unitis stretched and guided in such a fashion as to cause a predeterminedarea L or the lower reach thereof to travel horizontally of and over theearth.

For accomplishing the foregoing each arm 4 5. 3-'i has a rearward'lyextending horizontally disposed portion 55 to which a rearward framework5? is secured. This framework includes a guideway as on the portion 55of each arm 43-464, provided by base flanges 59 of angle irons 60. theupstanding flanges 5! of which are disposed inwardly of the unit P. Thebase flange 59 is .secured at either of its ends to the portion 56 ofthe respective arm 43-54 by rivets having spacers 62 between the flange59 and the portion 55.

These flanges 5-! on each side of the unit are joined by a medialcrossbar 53 disposed substantially .rnidway and above the horizontallow-e1 reach L .of the endless belt 45.

The endless belt '55 is guided by the tensions): 4'! which includes twogroups of wheels 54 and 64, one group 55 being supported on the forwardcrossbar 53, the other group 54' being supported on a floating crossbar55 having its ends extending through blocks 55 slidable in the guideways'58 on the rearward portion 56 of arms 4333. The blocks 65 have rollers65' mounted therein so that the rollers ride upon the portion 55 of arm43 or E4 as the case may be.

As best seen in Fig. 6 the wheels 5c in the forward group thereof areeach supported for rotation within a ueshaped arm 5'! having trisu arlshaped legs Eli-58. This arm 6! is pivotallymounted adjacent .its baseangle on a the forward crossbar 53. The lower corners H of thesetriangular legs 68--68 support the. axle .of the arms -15 of a U-strapI6 rockably mounted midway the arms 15-15 on a pivot rod ll insertedtransversely of the lower ends of a plurality of studs 11' extendingdownwardly from the floating crossbar 65. The bight portion 18 ofU-strap I6 has a spring 19 secured to it, the opposite end of spring 19being anchored to the medial crossbar 63 so as to urge the rearwardgroup of wheels toward the earth. Thus the rearward group of wheels 64'establish the rearward extremity of the horizontal lower reach L of thebelt 46. In this manner the belt 46 is so guided as to provide asubstantial, fiat earth engaging portion (lower reach L) asdistinguished from a single line contact with the earth as would beeffected were the belt trained over a single roller; that is, asdistinguished from mere tangential contact of the belt with the earth.

Ifhe length of the earth engaging reach L of the belt is preferablyabout eight inches from front to rear. This length can be varied asdesired by a change in belt size. However, the reach L becomes longeralso when the frame I5 is raised from the earth in a manner later to beexplained. In this connection it will be noted in Fig. 4 that bothforward and rear groups of wheels 64 and 64' will be urgedcounterclockwise by their springs I4 and I9, thus decreasing the lengthof the fore and aft spans 1 and a (Fig. 4) of the belt 46. However,since the rearward group of wheels 64' are shiftable with the floatingcross bar 65 any play in the belt 46 is thereby taken up with aresultant lengthening of the earth engaging reach L. When the frame I5is lowered the reach L becomes shorter and engages the earth withgreater pressure than when the reach L was longer.

The floating crossbar 65 is constantly urged rearwardly by a pair ofsprings 88 and 80 secured to the respective ends of cross bar 65extending outwardly from the blocks 66 which ride in the guideways '58.The opposite ends of the springs 8888' are anchored to correspondingears BI and SI formed on the rear extremity of the respective angleirons 68 as shown iri Figs. 4 through 7. 5

The rear extremity of each angle iron 68 is constantly urged downwardlytoward the earth, regardless of the elevation of the frame I5, by springbalanced rods 82, Figs. 2, 3 and 4. A rod 82 is secured to the end ofeach angle iron 66 so as to extend upwardly therefrom, the upper end ofeach rod 82 extending through a fixed guide 83 formed on and carried bythe frame I5. 1

wardly, there being an adjustable collar 85 se-' cured to the rod 82beneath the spring 84 to uh I maintain the rod under a proper load forpress.-

ing the rearward ends of the arms 43-44 down-.

wardly toward the earth.

A similar compression spring 86 encircles the upper end of the rod 82and is held in proper ressure against the guide 83 by an adjustablecollar 8'! secured to the rod. This upper spring 86 serves as a bufieror shock absorber and to prevent the earth engaging reach L of belt 46from rebounding against the earth with too great a force.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 through 9 the belt 46 carries a plurality offruit impal-ing pins 88 arranged in a uniform pattern on the belt sothat one or another of these pins is bound to pierce a prune as the pinsturn about the periphery o the forward group of wheels 64.

Each pin 88 comprises a hardened steel spike having a head 89, athreaded shank 90 adjacent the head, and a curved or arcuate end 9|.terminating in a point 92. Each pin'is inserted through the belt 46from the inner surface thereof so that the head 89 bears against suchinner surface. A nut 93 applied to the threaded shank 98 bears againstthe outer surface of the belt 46 to thereby secure the pin firmly to thebelt. Each pin 88 is disposed with its curved end 9i facing in thegeneral direction of the movement of the belt 46 so that as the beltturns about the forward group of wheels 64 the pin travels substantiallyaxially into any fruit lying in its way. Moreover, as each transverserow of pins 88 begins to turn from earth engaging position upwardly andaround the rearward group of wheels 64, the arcuate ends of the pinstend to become upturned to thereby hold the fruit impaled thereon and toassure against such fruit slipping off of the pins.

It should here be understood that the speed at which the belt 46 travelspast the wheels 64 is equal to the speed of the entire unit relative tothe earth. Consequently, there is no relative movement between the pinsand the earth along the lower reach L of the pickup belt. In otherwords, as each transverse row of pins rounds the forward group of wheels64 to impale fruit, the pins remain substantially in the same positionrelative to the surface of the earth until the axes of the rearwardgroup of wheels 64' arrive vertically above such transverse row of pins,whereupon the latter turn upwardly in travelling around the rearwardgroup of wheels.

For driving the belts 46 at the aforementioned speed, a sprocket 94,secured to either spindle 49 or 50 of each unit P, is associated with aseparate chain 95 trained around a separate drive sprocket 96, therebeing several sprockets 96 secured to a countershaft 61. Thecountershaft 91 is journaled for rotation in bearings 98 suitablysecured to the frame I5 and has sprockets 99 secured to it. A drivechain I88? trained around sprocket 99, is also trained around a sprocket[8| secured to a shaft I82 forming a part of the traction means D,hereinbefore men tioned.

In the present disclosure the traction means D comprises two earthengaging units DI and D2, one being adjacent side channel 25 and theother adjacent side channel 26 as best seen in Fig. 1. These units DIand D2 being identical, description of one will sufiice, it beingunderstood that they differ only insofar as-necessary to adapt them tothe left or right side of the frame I5 as the case may be.

The shaft I82 of each traction means is journaled in bearings secured tothe legs of a .separate U-shaped frame I I13. The legs of each unit DIand 2 are turned upwardly at their free ends and are p'ivotallyconnected to suitable brackets I04 secured to the frame I5. In each unitDI and 2 a large traction roller I85 is secured to the shaft IE2 andrests upon the earth so-as'to turn'at a proper speed upon engagement"therewith for turning the shaft IE2 and sprocket WZ'I. In this mannermotion is transmitted by way of chains IIIII to the countershaft III tothereby drive the drums 45 of all of the pick-up units at-aspeedcommensurate with the rate of movement of the tractor A.

Since the frame I533 of each traction unit DI and D2 is pivotallyconnected to the frame I5, means N33 is provided for supportingsuch'frames .1233 relatively stationary with respect to the main frame:IEi. This means 106., in each instance, comprises -.a lever I811pivotally mounted :as at I-BB to .an appendage on the frame IS, a bellI39 associated with the lever I'Ei'i, and a 'cmolnecting link NI}'pivotally connected ?to the hell crank and to an ear III arranged onthe hight portion ofthe particular U frame I63. The link Hi3 has anintegral lug I I2 disposed to be engaged by .a toothed edge of a latcharm H3 pivotally-connected to the U-frame I03 "and normally urged by'aspring H4 in a direction to keep 'Uh'filfiOOlThEd edge in contact withthe lug I I2. In this manner "the U-frame I 83 is adapted to beilatch'ed in various angular positions relative to the main frame I5 tothereby raise or lower the latter for purposes of changing the earthengaging area and pressure of the reach L of belt 46 as hereinbeforeexplained.

In addition to the foregoing means for latching the U frames I03relative to the main frame I5, each lever Ici' is provided with a handactuated'release rod 1 .Ifiinorm'ally urged by a spring fit into lockingengagement with one or an- :other recess in a serrated edge III of theappendage upon which the lever IIl'I is mounted. Consequently, when itis desired to change the elevation of the main frame with respect to ahorizontal the hand grip on lever I61 is grasped to release the rod Ifrom engagement with .a particular recess on edge IITI. Thus the latcharm I13 alone locks the LI-frame H53 in position.

I-iowever, upon manual movement of the lever I I5 is released for actionby its spring M6 to I engage in the particular recess of edge II-opposite the end of rod I15. Thereafter, the latch arm I I3 again isdisposed 'to hold the link IIB incident to future manipulation of thelever IO'I.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each of the forwardly disposed pick-upunits 1 (-I, 2, 4 and 5) is positioned with its drum 45 adjacent atransverse portion of the conveyor means E. This portion of the conveyormeans comprises a belt I26 trained around rolls I2! and I22 suitablyjournaled in bearings I23 supported by spaced structural members I24 andI24 suspended from the fore .part of the main frame I5. The roll I2! isdisposed adjacent and parallel to the side channel '25 and is freelyrotatable in its bearings I23. The roll I22 is disposed in a like position adjacent the side channel 26. The rolls I2I---I.22 are .a fixeddistance below the frame I5 so that the upper reach of the belt I "ispositioned to receive fruit from the drums 45 of the forward units P asthe belts 46 begin to descend around the same. The upper reach of belt120 is maintained horizontal by intermediate rolls I 25 journaled inbearings carried by the aforementioned structural members I24I'24.

Fruit stripping means is provided in the form of a plurality of tinesI26 secured to the member I24 adjacent the forward units P, the freeends of the tines extending more or less tangentially relative to theperiphery of belt 46 as it descends around the drum 45. As seen in Fig.5, one such tine I26 extends between each forwardly moving line of pins88 on the belt 46 and the tines are disposed at an incline, Fig. 4, sothat the fruit impaled on the pins '88 is stripped from the pins forgravitation over the tines and onto the upper reach of the conveyor beltI20.

The rearwardly disposed pickup units P (3, 6 and 'I) are also providedwith stripping tines I26 but since the drums 45 of these rearward unitsare somewhat to the rear of the conveyor belt I 29, an auxiliaryconveyor I2? is provided, see Fig. 3. 'In this connection the tines I26extend from a structural member ISI IR suitably 1 suspended from themain frame I5, which member IZ iR carries a chute I28 discharging ontothe upper reach of a belt I29. The belt I29 is trained around a rearroll I30 and a front roll IBI, the rear one being journaled in bearings'secured to the sides of the chute I28 while the front roll I3! isjournaled in bearings secured to the structural member I24 adjacent theconveyor belt I26.

The front roll I3I of each conveyor I2! is drivingly connected by asheave and belt I32 to an overhead shaft I33 suitably journaled inbearings mounted on the top of the central frame SI. This shaft I33 alsocarries a large sheave I34 driven by a belt I35 trained around a pulleyI36 secured to the drive shaft of the auxiliary motor M, see Figs. 1 and2. In this manner the auxiliary conveyors I2'I .are constantly driven toconvey the fruit from the rearwardly disposed pick-up units to the upperreach of the transverse conveyor belt I251.

To further facilitate and assure removal and discharge of fruit from thepins 88, each unit P isprovided with a rotary brush Mil (Figs. 1 to 4)..The brushes for the forwardly disposed units are mounted on a commonshaft IfilI and those vfor the rearwardly disposed units P are mountedon another common shaft I4I. In either case each brush I46 is disposedwith its lower periphery adapted to sweep over the respective belt 46 atits point of tangent relation with the free ends of the respectivestripping tines I26.

The shafts I4II4I are each similarly supported for effecting lightengagement of the brushes I49 with belts 46. This is accomplished byarms I42 at either end of the respective shaft I4I or MI and anintermediate arm I43 some where midway the ends of such shafts. Each armcarries a suitable bearing I44 for shaft I4I or I4I near its free endand has its opposite end pivotally mounted as at I45 to a bracket I45secured to the frame It forwardly of the brushes. The free ends of thearms I42, I43 are suspended by a spring I 'I'I having its upper endsuitably anchored to the frame I5. The springs I41 are so tensioned asto allow the brushes to weigh down upon the belts sufficiently to sweepfruit from the pins as with a minimum amount of friction occuringbetween the brushes and the belts 46.

Each intermediate arm I43 has a belt and pulley system adjacent it, onepulley I48 being secured to the particular shaft IM or I4I' and theother pulley I49 being secured to a stud shaft I50 carried by bracketI46 concentric with the pivotal mounting I05 of the arm I43. In thismanner vertical swinging of the arm I43 is permitted while the pulleyI49 remains relatively fixed for rotation on the stud shaft I50. Thestud shaft I50 carries another pulley I5I around which a belt I52 istrained for drivingly connecting pulley I5I to a pulley I53 on theoverhead shaft I33.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the brushes I60 areconstantly rotated in a direction (see arrows Fig. 4) to sweep fruitaxially from the pins 88 and tangentially from the belt 66 forgravitation over the inclined stripping tines I26.

The bristles of the brushes are sufficiently limber to prevent them fromtearing the fruit from the pins 08 as they begin their downward travelover the upper fore quadrant of the drum 45. Thus all ofthe fruit iscompletely removed from the pick-up units for ultimate discharge ontothe upper reach of the transverse conveyor belt I20.

The belt I20 is driven by the overhead shaft I33 as best seen in Figs. 1and 2. For this purpose a pulley I5! is secured to the end of overheadshaft I33 extending beyond the side 26 of the frame I5 and a set ofpulleys I53I58' are mounted on brackets secured to the fore channel 23above the roll I22. The shaft for roll I22 carries a pulley I22 disposedbeneath pulleys I58--I 58' so that a belt I59 trained around pulley I51,guided over pulley I 58, under pulley I22, and up and over pulley I58,transmits continuous motion from the overhead shaft I33 to thetransverse conveyor belt I20. Consequently, fruit on the upper reach ofbelt I20 is moved from left to right as seen in Fig. 1 for dischargeinto the lower end of an inclined portion of the conveyor means E.

The inclined portion of the conveyor means E consists of a commonelevator structure I60 in which an endless web I6I trained around lowerand upper rollers (not shown) transport the fruit to the upper end ofthe elevator I60. As illustrated in Fig. 1 a pulley I62 operativelyassoci ated with the upper roller of elevator I60 is driven by a beltI63 trained over an available groove or sheave in the aforementionedpulley I51 secured to the end of the overhead shaft I33.

The fruit discharging from the upper end of the elevator I60 falls intoa chute I65 for discharge into the receptacles F. These receptacles maybe in the form of lug boxes placed at the end of the chute I65 andsupported on the platform I9, hereinbefore mentioned.

Operation In summary, the device of the present invention, whentransported to and from an orchard, is conditioned with the entirecarriage B including the traction means D elevated above the earth byactuation of the pistons 20 and 2I of the hydraulic system. In thiscondition the trailing ends of the pick-up units are held up by thespring balanced rods 82 and the only engagement with earth is by thetreads I2 of the tractor A by which the apparatus is movable over theearth.

When the apparatus is driven into proper position at one end of anorchard the levers 22 of the hydraulic system are manipulated to releaseof the carriage B whereupon the main frame I5 becomes supported by thetraction rollers I05. The individual pick-up units P (I to 1) thenengage the earth at a degree of pressure determined by the setting ofthe latch means I06 by which the angular disposition between the mainframe I5 and the traction units DI and D2 is varied.

The lower or earth engaging reach L of the pick-up belts 46 are nowdisposed with their pins 88 engaging earth at sufficient pressure toimpale fruit. The auxiliary motor M is then started to drive theoverhead shaft I33 to constantly drive the brushes I40, auxiliaryconveyors I21, and the transverse conveyor belt I20, as well as theinclined portion I60 of the conveyor means E.

As the tractor A is now driven forwardly each of the rollers I05 of thetraction means D is turned by their engagement with the earth. In thismanner the countershaft 97 is turned to drive the individual pick-upunits P (I through 'I).

The belts 46 of the individual pick-up units travel at a speedcommensurate with the speed of movement of the entire apparatus over theearth. Consequently, as the belts 46 travel over their respective drums45 and tension wheels 64 the transverse rows of pins 68 throughout thelength of the reach L are laid down upon the earth in sequence so as tobe relatively immobile with respect to the earth. Since the pins arearcuate and pointed in a rearward direction, on the lower reaches of thebelt 46, they tend to move axially into any fruit in their way as thepins turn from the fore reach I to the earth engaging reach L. Once thepins extend vertically from the reach L the fruit impaled by the pinsare fully pierced but since there is no relative movement between thepins and the earth the impaled fruit remains substantially stationary.

Should there be any boulders or obstructions, such as the one shown inFig. 7,.extending above the surface 0 of the earth the belt 46 willyield in the manner as illustrated while the balance of the earthengaging reach L of the belt 46 is fully pliable and tends to hug thesurface of the earth regardless of any irregularities in the surface 9of the earth.

In connection with the foregoing the belt 46 will also conform to anyruts or depressions in the surface of the earth. In other words, shouldfruit become lodged in such depressions the belt 46, being made ofelastic material such as rubber, readily stretches under the influenceof a particular tensioning wheel 60. In this manner the pins 88 in theportion of the belt stretched downwardly into depressions in the eartheffectively pierce the fruit lodged in the depressions in the samemanner as in the case of level ground.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that all of the fruit pierced bythe pins 08 is adequately impaled to be lifted from the earth when eachtransverse row of pins begin to turn about the rearward set of wheels64'. As soon as the axis of the rear set of wheels pass vertically abovea transverse row of pins such pins, en bank, immediately. begin to swingupwardly, their pointed ends 02 leading, to thereby assure againstremoval or the fruit from the pins. Once the transverse row of pinsbegins the straight run of the aft reach a of belt 46 the fruit willremain impaled upon the pins.

As each transverse row of pins 60 passes vertically above the axis(spindles 69-50) of the drum the pistons 20 and. 2| for lowering thefore part 7 45 the arcuate leading ends SI of the pins. enter the orbitof the brushesv aw. whereby the, fruit immediately begins to slide uward'ly upon the pins. Moreover, the fruit is simultaneously engaged bythe stripping tines 25 for removal from the pins. Consequently, thefruit is automatically swept from and stripped oif of the pins forgravitation onto the transverse belt lZil ef the conveyor means E.

The fruit discharging from the belt 2% falls onto the lower end of theinclined elevator 68 for transfer to the chute I85 over which the fruitgravitates into 2. lug box supported on the platform l9.

While. I have described my new prune picking apparatus in specificdetail it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat thisspecific. structure may be varied, modified or alteredwithout departingfrom. the spirit of my invention- I therefore desire to avail myself ofall variations, modifications and alterations as. fairly come within thescope of the appended, claims.

What; I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for picking up fruit: from the earth of the typeincluding a carriage movable over the earth, traction means on saidcar'- riage, for supporting. the same for movement as aforesaid; thecombination. therewith of a picl -up unit comprising a drum pivotallymounted on said carriage a. substantial distance above the earth, anendless belt trained around said drum and. of greater circumferentialsize than said drum so asto. have an. earth engaging reach, a tensioningdevice for said pick-upv unit comprising afram-e pivotally mountedcoaxialiy with said drum, a plurality of forwardwheel's on said framefor establishing a forward. extremity for the earth engaging reach ofsaid belt, a plurality of rearward wheelson said frame for establishinga rearward extremity for the earth engaging reach of said belt, saidbelt having a multitude of fruit impaling pins extendingoutwardlytherefrom, and means for drivingly connecting said traction means andsaid drum for driving saidbelt at a speed whereby the pins thereon arerelatively immobile with respect to earth when said pins are within theearth engaging reachthereof.

2. A pick-up unit for a prune picker of the type having a carriagemovable-over the earth, comprising a drum rotatably meunted onsaidcarriage a substantial distanceabove-the earth, tensioning meansdisposed rearwardly of said drum, an. endless belt trained around saiddrum andtensioningmeans, said tensioning meansineluding. forwardly and.rearwardly disposed presser wheels for establishing an earth engagingreach for said belt, means. for mounting said rearwardly disposed Wheelsfor movement. relative to saidvforwardly disposed wheelsfor maintainingsaid belt in driving relation with said drum, a plurality of fruitimpaling pins extending outwardly from said belt, each said pin having aforwardly curved extremity terminating in a point whereby as each pinturns about the forwardly disposed wheels to enter the earth ena inreach of; said: belt. the. pins ineffect move axially into fruit engagedthereby to impale the same, and means for driving said drum at apredetermined speed wherebysaid pins while in the earth engaging reachof said belt remain relatively immobile with respect to the earth.

3. A pick-up unit of the type including a carriage movable over theearthcomprising an endless belt, a drum supporting the forward extremity ofsaid beltabove the earth, tensioning means extending rearwardly of saidbelt and comprising a group of independently mounted spring-urgedforward wheels bearing against" the inner surface of said belt forestablishing the forward extremity of an earth engaging reach thereof, agroup of independently mounted spring-urged rearward wheels bearingagainst the inner surface of said belt for establishing a rearwardextremity of the earth engaging reach thereof, means for yieldinglyurging said rearward groups of wheels away from said forward groupthereof for maintaining said belt in a tautened condition, a pluralityof pins on said belt for impaling fruit when said pins are withintheearth engaging reach of said belt, said independently mounted wheelsyielding with said belt when an obstruction is engaged thereby andexpanding the area of the belt engaged by said wheels when depressionsin the earth register therewith.

i. A pick-up unit of the type including a carriage movable over theearth comprising an endless belt, a drum supporting the forwardextremity of said belt above the earth, tensioning means extendingrearwardly' of said belt and comprising a group of independently mountedspringurged forward wheels bearing against the inner surface of saidbelt for establishing the forward extremity of an earth engaging reachthereof, a group of independently mounted spring urged rearward wheelsbearing against the inner surface of said belt for establishing arearward extremity of the earth engaging reach thereof, means foryieldingly urging; said rearward groups of wheels away from said forwardgroup thereof for maintaining said belt in a tautened condition, aplurality of pins. on said belt forimpaling fruit when said pinsarewithin theearthengaging reach of said belt, said independently mountedwheels yielding with. said belt when an obstruction is engaged therebyand expanding the area of the belt engaged by said wheels whendepressions in the earth register therewith, and means for driving said,drum at a. predetermined speed whereby pins entering the earth engaging,reach at the forward. extremitythereof remain, relatively immobile untilleaving. said reach. at. the rearward extremity thereof.

5. A pickr-up unitof. the type having a, carriage movable over the earthcomprising a drive drum rotatableonsaid carriage and abovethe surface ofthe earth,,tensioning 'meanspivotally mounted on saidcarriage so as. toextend rearwardly of said drum, an endless. belt ofv resilientmaterialtrained around. said drum. and said tensioning. means to provide. an.earth engaging reach for said belt, a plurality of. pins. extending.outwardly from said belt for engaging and impaling fruit when said pinsenter the earth engaging reach of said belt, means for driving said drumand belt ata speed whereby said. pinsremain: relatively immobile withrespect to earthawhile within theearth engagingireachz of; said belt,said: tensioning meansincluding separate groups of: fore and aft wheels,meansamounting each said wheel forin dependent swinging movement,yieldabl'e means connected to each: said mountingmeans for urg ing thewheels associated therewith' tow-ardtheinner surface of the earthengaging reach of said belt to thereby yield with said'bel't when thelatter engagesa: protrusion on the. surface of the earth and forpressing said. resilient beltand the pins thereon into reeessesdn theearthin regis ter' with a; particular wheel or wheels: on said 13$tensioning means for assuring impalement of fruit lodged in saidrecesses.

6. A pick-up unit of the type including a carrlage movable over theearth comprising a driven drum rotatably mounted on said carriage out ofcontact with the earth, an endless belt trained around said driven drum,a plurality of fruit impaling pins extending outwardly from said belt, aframe including spaced arms mounted for pivotal movement on saidcarriage and extending rearwardly of said drum, a forward crossbarconnecting said arms, a plurality of forward presser wheels pivotallymounted on said forward crossbar, means for urging said forward presserwheels against the inner surface of said belt to establish a forwardextremity of an earth engaging reach thereof, a guideway on each saidarm, a rolling block on each said guideway, a floating crossbarextending between each said rolling block, a plurality of rearwardpresser wheels pivotally mounted on said floating crossbar, means forurging said rearward presser wheelsv toward the inner surface of saidbelt for establishing a rearward extremity for the earth engaging reachthereof, and means for yieldingly urging said floating crossbarrearwardly of said forward crossbar for maintaining said endless belt indriving contact with said drum.

7. A pick-up unit of thetype including a carriage movable over the earthcomprising a driven drum rotatably mounted on said carriage out ofcontact with the earth, an endless belt trained around said driven drum,a plurality of fruit impaling pins extending outwardly from said belt, aframe including spaced arms mounted ooaxially with said drum andextending rearwardly therefrom, a forward crossbar connecting said armsrearward of said drum, a plurality of presser wheels pivotally mountedon said forward crossbar, a guideway formed on each of said arms, ablock mounted in each of said guideways for fore and aft movement, afloating crossbar extending between the blocks in each of saidguideways, a plurality of rearward presser wheels pivotally mounted onsaid floating crossbar in staggered relation with respect to the forwardpresser wheels, an intermediate crossbar connecting said arms betweensaid forward and rearward presser wheels, spring means between each ofsaid forward and rearward presser wheels and said intermediate crossbarfor urging said wheels toward earth to establish forward and rearwardextremities of an earth engaging reach for said endless belt, means foryieldingly urging said blocks rearwardly in their guideways to maintainsaid rearward presser wheels in tensioning engagement with said endlessbelt, and means between the rearward extremities of said carriage andsaid arms for yieldingly urging the latter and the earth engaging reachof said belt toward. the surface of the earth.

8. In a pick-up unit of the type including a carriage movable over theearth, an endless belt, flexible laterally and longitudinally thereof,said belt being mounted for conveying movement lengthwise of saidcarriage, belt tensioning means comprising two pluralities ofindividually spring pressed and upwardly displaceable rollers mountedinteriorly of said belt and in rolling relation therewith, one pluralityof said rollers being offset longitudinally from the other to establishan earth conforming reach of said belt, a plurality of pins mounted onsaid belt to extend outwardly therefrom for impaling fruit lying beneaththe earth engaging reach thereof, whereby when said pins enter the earthengaging'reach of said belt the pins will pierce any fruit disposed onthe earth in their path of movement, and

drive means mounted to move the earth engaging reach of said belt at a,speed commensurate with the rate of movement of said carriage over theearth, and in a direction opposite to that of car riage movement.

9. Apparatus for pickingup fruit from the earth comprising a carriage,traction means on' said carriage in engagement with the earth, fruitpick-up means on said carriage comprising ing fruit lying on the surfaceof the earth be-' neath the earth engaging reach of said belt, and:

means drivingly connecting said traction means and said belt to move theground engaging reach of said belt at a speed commensurate with and in adirection opposite to the travel of said carriage to retain the groundengaging reach of the belt substantially stationary relative to theearth therebeneath during forward travel of the carriage.

10. Apparatus for picking up fruit from the earth comprising a carriage,traction means on said carriage in engagement with the earth, fruitpick-up means on said carriage comprising a drum pivotally mounted abovethe earth, an endless belt of flexible material, of substantial widthand of greater circumferential size than said drum, said belt beingtrained around said drum to have an earth engaging reach, a plurality ofindividually displaceable tensioning means mounted to extend downwardlyfrom said drum and collectively engaging the inner surface of the earthengaging reach of said belt to urge it into conformation with the earththerebeneath, a

plurality of pins mounted on said belt to project outwardly therefromfor impaling fruit lying on the surface of the earth beneath the earthengaging reach of said belt, means drivingly connecting said tractionmeans and said belt to move the ground engaging reach of said belt at aspeed commensurate with and in a direction opposite to the travel ofsaid carriage to retain the ground engaging reach of the beltsubstantially stationary relative to the earth therebeneath during for-Ward travel of the carriage, and fruit take-off means mounted adjacentsaid drum and moving 1 oppositelyrelative to the direction of belttravel over said drum, said fruit take-off means being positioned toengage fruit impaled on said pins and to remove the impaled fruittherefrom.

11. Apparatus for picking up fruit from the earth comprising a carriage,traction means on said carriage in engagement with the earth, fruitpick-up means on said carriage comprising a drum pivotally mounted abovethe earth, an endless belt of flexible material and of substantial widthand of greater circumferential size than said drum, said belt beingtrained around said drum to have an earth engaging reach, a tensioningmeans support frame pivotally mounted coaxially of said drum andextending downwardaseseer In therefrom. a; plurality of individuallydisplacea-ble tension-ins means mounted; on said tensionmeans supportframe and collectively engag-- ing the inner surface of the earthengaging reaclr of said belt to urge it-intoconformation withv theearth: therebeneath, a. plurality of pins. mounted: on: said belt toproiect outwardly thereiiromfor impaling fruit lying on the surface of:the earth beneath: the earth engaging reach of said belt, and meansdrivin-gly connecting said traction means and said belt to move the:ground engag ing reach: of said belt at a speed commensurate with; andin a direction opposite to the travel of said carriage to retain the:ground engagingreaehof. the belt substantially stationary relative to:-the: earth therebeneath during forward travel of the carriage.

12-. Apparatus for picking up fruit from the earth comprising acarriage, traction means on said carriage in engagementw-ith the earth,fruit pick-up means on said carriage"- comprising a drum pivotal-1ymounted above the earth, an endless belt of. flexible material ofgreater circuinsupported coaxiallly of said drum and to en- 3 gage.- theinner surface: of the earth engaging reachof said belt to. urgev it intoconformation with the. earth thereceneath, and a plurality of pinsmounted on said belt to project out-- Wardly therefrom, the outer endportions of said pins being" bent. forwardly relative to the direm tionof? belt travel around said drum for impaling fruit lying on thesurface: of the earthbeneath the earth engaging reach of said. belt.

1-3-. Apparatus for picking up fruit from the earthcomprising acarriage;v traction meanson said carriage in engagement with the earth,fruit pick-up means on said carriage comprising a drum pivotally mountedabove the-earth", an endless belt of flexible material, of greatercircumierential size than said drum, said. belt beingtrained around saiddrum to have an earth engagingxreach, means drivingly connecting the"traction. means and the belt to move the ground engaging reach of thebelt at av speed com-- mensu-rate-"with and in a direction opposite tothe travel ofthe carriage to retain the ground engaging. reachof thebelt substantially stationary relative to the earth therebeneath.during: forward.- travel of the carriage, belt tensioning.

led means mounted to engage the inner surface of the earth engagingreach of said belt to urge it into conformation with the earththerebeneath, a plurality of rows of pins mounted on said belt toproject outwardly therefrom, the outer end portions of said pins beingbent forwardly relative to the direction of belt travel around saiddrumfor impaling fruit; lying on the surface of the earth: beneath the earthengaging; reach ofsaid belt, a plurality of fruit stripping tinesmounted to extend tangentially of a portion of the: belt overlying thedrum in a direction opposite to the direction. of belt travel, past saidpins, said tines being located between adjacentrows of said pins, arotary brush mounted: in peripheral engagement with the pins in theregion of the tangency of said tines to said belt, and drive meansmounted to rotate the brushto move its periphery oppositely to thedirection of belt travel at the area of said belt and said brushengagement is. In a fruit pick-up unit having a carriage movable overthe earth, an endless flexible belt mounted with a reach thereof inengagement with the earth, two pluralities of tensioning. means mountedin longitudinally spaced relation along the earth engaging reach of thebelt to exert downward earth engaging pressure on said beit, each unitof each plurality of said: tensioning means being individually upwardlydisplaoeable, biasin means connected to each unit of each plurality ofsaid tensioninglmeans to con.- trol the downward pressure thereof on theearth engaging. reach of said belt to urge it into eon.- formation withthe earth thereb'eneatli, drive means mounted to drive the belt to"move: its earth engaging reach at a speed commensurate with and in adirection opposite to the travel: of the carriage over the earth, aplurality of fruit impaling pins mounted on said belt to extendoutwardly therefrom, the end portion of each pin being bent forwardlyrelative to the direction of belt travel, and terminating in a pointwhereby said pins approach the earth engaging reach of said belt withtheir points" directed axially toward the surface of the earth to piercefruit disposed in their path of movement.

WALTER WIEBE.

References Ei'ted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 1,222,878 Lint Apr. 17, 1917 1,317,927 Lint Oct, '7,1919 1,650,796 Kellogg Nov. 29; 1927 1,921,651 Behling Aug. 8, 19332,155,543 Grignolo Apr. 25, 1939' 2,573,210 Madsen Oct. 30, 1951 2,599,715 Lepper June 10. 1952

